EDF Energy Renewables is to appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a proposed wind farm near Bullington Cross, north of Winchester.

Planning committees of Winchester, Test Valley and Basingstoke and Deane councils in June turned down EDF Energy Renewables’ application for a 14 turbines on farmland to the north of the A303.

A spokesperson for EDF Energy Renewables said today: “After due consideration and a review of the councils’ decision to turn down planning permission for the Bullington Cross scheme, we have decided to lodge an appeal with the Government’s Planning Inspectorate.

“We continue to believe the Bullington Cross site is an excellent location for the size of wind farm proposed. The project has high levels of local support and will make an important contribution to meet the country’s future, low carbon electricity needs.

“We take the utmost care with our site selection for all our projects. As well as providing an important new source of renewable energy, we believe that this project would also generate significant benefits to both the local community and the local economy.”

EDF Energy Renewables is committed to offering the local community a 10 per cent share of the project through the local Hampshire Renewable Energy Cooperative.

The proposed 28MW wind farm at Bullington Cross would provide enough low carbon power to supply the average annual electricity demands of around 15, 000 homes across the region.